Metal-phosphorus-nitrogen polymers, metal-phosphorus compounds and methods of preparation thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention provides metal-phosphorus-nitrogen polymer compounds and methods for their preparation at low temperatures using readily available starting materials. One group of compounds, metal-phosphazene polymers, are comprised of repeating units of [PN] 3  rings linked to form polymers through P--X--M--X--P bonds. The linking atoms X are either NH 2  or O, and M is a metal cation. Another group of the compounds have the generic formula M a  (P 2  O 5 ) b  (NH 3 ) c  O d .eH 2  O. If the metal-phosphorus-nitrogen polymers are heated to a sufficiently high temperature to reduce the nitrogen/phosphorus ratio, additional novel solid metal phosphorus compounds of the invention are formed, many of which have a foamed, porous structure. The properties of the compounds of the invention can be varied by choice of metal and reaction conditions to create materials having useful conductive, magnetic, optical, catalytic, or ion-exchange properties.

U.S. GOVERNMENT RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION

the work leading to this invention was carried out with United States Government funds. Therefore, the U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to solids, and more particularly to metal-phosphazene polymers and metal-phosphate compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Novel solid materials with desirable physical and chemical properties are constantly being sought for commercial applications. Economical, low temperature synthetic routes to new solids from readily available starting materials are of particular interest. Especially desirable attributes for novel materials are easy variability of physical and chemical properties and high thermal, storage and in-use stability.

One class of compounds used as starting material for new solids is the phosphazenes, compounds of the formula (NPX₂)_(n), with alternating phosphorus and nitrogen atoms. Soluble linear chlorophosphazene, [NPCl₂ ]_(n), is desirable as a primary source for making substituted phosphazene polymers (e.g., [NP(OR)₂ ]_(n)), many of which are useful as flame retardants and low-temperature elastomers. Solid hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, [NPCl₂ ]₃, undergoes polymerization at 200° C.-300° C. to [NPCl₂ ]_(n). The reaction is difficult to control because of cross-linking, air sensitivity, and the formation of insoluble gel products. The molecule [NPCl₂ ]₃ is a potential hexa-coordinating ligand and might be expected to react with metal salts to form cationic metal-bridged polymers, [(ring)P--Cl--M^(II) --Cl--P(ring)]_(n), with useful properties. However, this approach does not work well in practice because [NPCl₂ ]₃ is very water-sensitive. Reaction of [NPCl₂ ]₃ with water results in formation of hydrochloric acid (HCl) which prevents formation of the metal-bridged polymer by competing protonation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides novel solid metal-phosphorus-nitrogen polymers which can be made at low temperatures. In one group of compounds of the invention, repeating units of phosphazene [PN]₃ rings are linked by P--X--M--X--P bonds to form a polymer. The linking atoms X are either NH₂ or O, and M is a metal cation. Another group of the compounds have the generic formula M_(a) (P₂ O₅)_(b) (NH₃)_(c) O_(d).eH₂ O. Preferably, M is Mg^(II), Mn^(II), Fe^(II), Co^(II), Ni^(II), Cu^(II), or Zn^(II). Compositions having Al^(III), Cr^(III), Fe^(III), or V^(IV) may also be formed. A wide range of metal-phosphorus-nitrogen polymers with various properties may thus be realized. Generally, the method of preparing the metal-bridged polymers involves reacting [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl with a metal salt in an aqueous environment, preferably either at room temperature or under reflux conditions, and isolating the precipitate.

In another aspect of the invention, the metal-phosphorus-nitrogen polymers are heated to a sufficiently high temperature to reduce the nitrogen/phosphorus ratio. The resulting solid products are novel metal-phosphorus compounds, many of which have a foamed, porous structure.

The compounds of the invention have a wide range of properties, making them appropriate for uses as diverse as fire retardants, lubricants, ion-exchangers, ingredients in glazes, and heterogenous catalysts. The proportions of the reactants, the choice of the reaction conditions, and the selection of the metal reactant will all influence the properties of the final product.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The starting materials for the polymers of the invention may be phosphazenes having the formula (NPX₂)_(n). For example, a phosphonitrilic halide such as (NPCl₂)₃ can be reacted with ammonia (NH₃) to provide [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl. The [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl product is an air-stable, white solid that is insoluble in cold water. The description of this reaction is given by R. A. Shaw in "Phosphorus and Sulfur" (1978), Vol. 4, page 101, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The phosphonitrilic compound [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl is then reacted with a metal salt in an aqueous environment to produce a metal-phosphorus-nitrogen polymer of the invention. The co-production of ammonium salts, which are only weakly acidic, permits the reaction to go to completion. As will be described in further detail below, the reaction conditions, the metal cation used, and the proportions of the initial reactants are all determinative of the molar ratios of the included elements and the specific linking atoms in the final product.

One class of products is composed of polymers having repeating units of metal-linked phosphazene [PN]₃ rings. The subunit of a typical metal-phosphazene polymer has the formula ##STR1## The [PN]₃ ring is linked to at least one other [PN]₃ ring through one or more (P--X)¹ --M--(X--P)² bonds where the phosphorus of said (P--X)¹ is a member of a first [PN]₃ subunit and the phosphorus of said (X--P)² is a member of a second [PN]₃ subunit and where X is either NH₂ or O and where M is a metal cation. The X substituents on the phosphazene ring not involved in metal-linked bonds are in the form NH₂ or OH.

If the starting materials are reacted at room temperature, the products precipitating from solution have intact phosphazene rings and retain from zero to six of the original six NH₂ groups of the precursor phosphonitrilic compound. Different products, as determined by elemental analysis, usually having different properties from those formed at room temperature, are formed from the same precursors if the reaction takes place at higher temperatures. In general, as the reaction temperature is increased from room temperature to 100° C. (reflux conditions), the nitrogen content (and, therefore, the ratio N/P) of the product polymer is decreased.

A different class of products, novel metal-phosphorus compounds, is produced if the products prepared in the original reaction are heated to a high temperature, e.g., about 600° C. The products of high temperature treatment have considerably reduced to no nitrogen content, and a number of them are unusual foamed, or porous, materials.

The descriptions and charts below give sample reaction conditions and products formed for a broad spectrum of metal systems.

EXAMPLE I--ROOM TEMPERATURE PROCEDURE

The reactants are generally the phosphonitrilic compound, e.g., [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl (A) and a metal salt (usually the halide, nitrate or, preferably, the sulfate hydrate) (B) and distilled water. In a typical experiment, 5.5 gm (0.01 mol) of A is treated with 0.01 mol of B in 100 mL of distilled water, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 24 hr. The precipitated product is filtered, washed several times with water and methanol and then air dried. No precipitate is obtained with common magnesium or nickel salt hydrates at room temperature. The colors, yields and analytical data of the precipitated solids are shown in Table I.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Room Temperature Products                                                      Formula M.sub.a [(PN).sub.3 O.sub.b (OH).sub.c (NH.sub.2).sub.d ].sub.e.fH     .sub.2 O                                                                                                                     Solubility                                                                             Solubility in 0.1N                                     Anal. (%).sup.1                                                                         Molar Ratios                                                                          0.1N HCl                                                                               NaOH                     M     Color   Yield.sup.2                                                                        a b c d e f M  P  N  N/P                                                                               N/M Cold                                                                               Hot Cold                                                                               Hot                  __________________________________________________________________________     Al(OH).sub.2                                                                         White powder                                                                           4.03                                                                               3 3 0 3 1 19                                                                               10.9                                                                              14.2                                                                              11.6                                                                              1.8                                                                               2.1 Insol.                                                                             S. sol.                                                                            Insol.                                                                             Insol.               FW.sup.3 708                  11.4                                                                              13.1                                                                              11.4                                       Co(OH)                                                                               Pink powder                                                                            0.43                                                                               3 3 0 3 1 1 41.8                                                                              17.9                                                                              16.6                                                                              2.1                                                                               1.7 Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                             S. sol.              FW.sup.3 477                  37.1                                                                              19.5                                                                              17.6                  blue                 Cr    Green powder                                                                           3.00                                                                               5 5 1 0 2 35                                                                               16.9                                                                              17.5                                                                              8.1                                                                               1.0                                                                               1.8 Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                             Insol.               FW.sup.3 1554                 16.7                                                                              17.9                                                                              8.1                                        Cu    Greenish blue                                                                          1.88                                                                               2 4 0 2 1 7 28.2                                                                              19.1                                                                              13.4                                                                              1.6                                                                               2.2 Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                             S. sol.              FW.sup.3 484                                                                         powder                  26.2                                                                              19.2                                                                              14.4                  blue                 Fe(OH).sub.2                                                                         Khaki powder                                                                           1.54                                                                               4 0 0 6 1 22                                                                               21.1                                                                              9.4                                                                               14.2                                                                              3.3                                                                               2.7 Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                             S.                                                                                 Changed              FW.sup.3 974                  22.9                                                                              9.6                                                                               12.9                  to brown                                                                       ppt.                 Mn    Cream powder                                                                           0.16                                                                               1 1 2 3 2 14                                                                               7.0                                                                               24.0                                                                              21.1                                                                              1.9                                                                               11.8                                                                               Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                             S.                                                                                 Changed              FW.sup.3 773                  7.1                                                                               24.1                                                                              21.7                  to brown                                                                       ppt.                 VO(OH).sub.2                                                                         Gray-green                                                                             2.60                                                                               4 0 0 6 1 36                                                                               16.4                                                                              7.4                                                                               9.2                                                                               2.8                                                                               2.1 Insol.                                                                             S. sol.                                                                            S.                                                                                 Sol.                 FW.sup.3 1283                                                                        powder                  15.9                                                                              7.2                                                                               9.8           bluish  reddish                                                                violet  brown                Zn    White powder                                                                           1.64                                                                               3 3 2 2 2 10                                                                               23.5                                                                              24.8                                                                              18.9                                                                              1.7                                                                               3.8 Sol.                                                                               Ppted                                                                              Insol.                                                                             Insol.               FW.sup.3 782                  25.1                                                                              23.8                                                                              17.9          when                                                                           heated                       __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1 Second row of each entry shows the calculated elemental                 percentages.                                                                   .sup.2 Typical yield (gm) under standard experimental conditions.              .sup.3 Calculated formula weight of product.                             

From the data given in Table I it can be seen that all the tested room temperature products have an N/P molar ratio ≧1.0, implying the presence of intact phosphazene rings [PN]₃. From zero to six of the original six NH₂ groups of the phosphonitrilic compound (A) remain in the products. Only two products (those containing V and Fe) have six NH₂ groups and these products have the highest formula weights. Each phosphazene ring generally coordinates from two to four metal units. Exceptions are the products containing Mn (where one metal unit coordinates two phosphazene rings ), Cr (1.7 Cr per phosphazene ring) and Zn (1.5 Zn per phosphazene ring). The highest yields (lowest solubility) are observed for the Al and Cr products, which are M^(III) systems. With the notable exceptions of Co (0.33) and Mn (14), the room temperature products contain from three to nine water molecules per metal center.

EXAMPLE II--REFLUX PROCEDURE

In a typical experiment, 5.5 gm (0.01 mol) of solid compound (a) described above and 100 mL of distilled water are placed in a 250 mL round bottom flask fitted with a reflux condenser. An equimolar amount of solid metal salt (B) is added and the mixture is refluxed for two hr. After the mixture is cooled to room temperature, the precipitated solid is filtered and washed several times with water and methanol and then air-dried. The colors, yields and analytical data of the precipitated solids prepared by the reflux procedure are shown in Table II.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Reflux Temperature Products                                                    Formula M.sub.a (P.sub.2 O.sub.5).sub.b (NH.sub.3).sub.c O.sub.d.eH.sub.2                                           Molar Solubility in                                                                            Solubility in 0.1N                                    Anal. (%).sup.1                                                                         Ratios                                                                               HCl       NaOH                      M     Color  Yield.sup.2                                                                        a b c d e  M  P  N  N/P                                                                               N/M                                                                               Cold                                                                               Hot   Cold Hot                  __________________________________________________________________________     Al    White  3.79                                                                               10                                                                               7 11                                                                               15                                                                               35 11.4                                                                              18.8                                                                              6.5                                                                               0.77                                                                              1.1                                                                               Insol.                                                                             S. sol.                                                                              Sol. Sol.                 FW.sup.3 2317                                                                        powder                11.4                                                                              18.3                                                                              6.5                                          Co    Lavender                                                                              2.72                                                                               15                                                                               5 11                                                                               15                                                                               0  47.1                                                                              16.9                                                                              8.5                                                                               1.1                                                                               0.77                                                                              S. sol.                                                                            Ppted when                                                                           Insol.                                                                              Insol.               FW.sup.3 2020                                                                        powder                43.7                                                                              15.3                                                                              7.6      pink                                                                               heated                          Cr    Green  4.71                                                                               6 5 8 9 27 17.1                                                                              17.7                                                                              6.2                                                                               0.77                                                                              1.3                                                                               Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                               Insol.                                                                              Insol.               FW.sup.3 1788                                                                        powder                17.4                                                                              17.1                                                                              6.3                                          Cu    Pale blue                                                                             2.19                                                                               63                                                                               21                                                                               22                                                                               63                                                                               93 40.2                                                                              13.0                                                                              3.0                                                                               0.52                                                                              0.34                                                                              Sol.                                                                               Sol. blue                                                                            Insol.                                                                              Insol.               FW.sup.3 10037                                                                       powder                40.0                                                                              13.0                                                                              3.1      blue           change to                                                                      black                Fe    Yellow-                                                                               4.40                                                                               14                                                                               4 15                                                                               14                                                                               65 26.8                                                                              8.5                                                                               6.9                                                                               1.8                                                                               1.1                                                                               Insol.                                                                             Insol.                                                                               S.                                                                                  S. sol.              FW.sup.3 2998                                                                        brown                 26.1                                                                              8.3                                                                               7.0                brown                                                                               dark                       powder                                              brown                Mg    White  1.13                                                                               10                                                                               12                                                                               24                                                                               10                                                                               20 8.2                                                                               26.4                                                                              11.9                                                                              0.96                                                                              2.4                                                                               S. sol.                                                                            S. sol.                                                                              Insol.                                                                              Insol.               FW.sup.3 2875                                                                        powder                8.4                                                                               25.8                                                                              11.7                                         Mn    Pale pink                                                                             2.09                                                                               4 7 17                                                                               4 17 11.6                                                                              22.9                                                                              12.7                                                                              1.2                                                                               4.3                                                                               S. sol.                                                                            White ppt.                                                                           Insol.                                                                              Changed              FW.sup.3 1880                                                                        powder                11.7                                                                              23.1                                                                              12.7         when  changed                                                                             to brown                                                            heated                                                                               to                                                                                  ppt.n                                                                     ppt.                      Ni    Pale green                                                                            2.02                                                                               10                                                                               7 18                                                                               10                                                                               32 22.4                                                                              16.4                                                                              9.8                                                                               1.3                                                                               1.8                                                                               Sol.                                                                               Sol.  Insol.                                                                              Insol.               FW.sup.3 2623                                                                        powder                22.4                                                                              16.5                                                                              9.6                                          V     Pale blue                                                                             2.53                                                                               43                                                                               5 16                                                                               86                                                                               212                                                                               25.9                                                                              3.6                                                                               2.7                                                                               1.6                                                                               0.37                                                                              Sol.                                                                               Sol. blue                                                                            S.                                                                                  Sol.                 FW.sup.3 8412                                                                        powder                26.0                                                                              3.7                                                                               2.7      blue           reddish                                                                        brown                Zn    White  2.17                                                                               6 4 10                                                                               6 11 27.6                                                                              17.3                                                                              9.9                                                                               1.3                                                                               1.7                                                                               Sol.                                                                               Turbid                                                                               S.                                                                                  S. sol.              Fw.sup.3 1424                                                                        powder                27.5                                                                              17.4                                                                              9.8          when                                                                           heated                          __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1 Second row of each entry shows the calculated elemental                 percentages.                                                                   .sup.2 Typical yield (gm) under standard experimental conditions.              .sup.3 Calculated formula weight of product.                             

From the data presented in Table II it can be observed that precipitated products are obtained under reflux conditions with Mg and Ni salts as reactants whereas these two metals do not lead to precipitated products at room temperatures. The product N/P ratio is always lower under reflux conditions than at room temperature, indicating that a higher reaction temperature favors the hydrolysis of NH₂ substituents on the phosphazene ring. This is substantiated by lower N/M molar ratios under reflux conditions.

With three exceptions, the N/P ratio varies between 0.96 (Mg) and 1.8 (Fe) under reflux. In this range, the pattern of variation of N/P with metal is similar to that at room temperature. Since the intact phosphazene ring has N/P=1.0 when all the NH₂ groups have been hydrolyzed to OH groups, most of the products appear to contain intact PN rings. On this basis, those with N/P>1.0 have one or two residual NH₂ groups per phosphazene ring. The notable exceptions are the products prepared from Al and Cr (N/P=0.77) and Cu (N/P=0.52). These products evidently contain hydrolyzed PN rings. The calculated formula weights under reflux are higher than at room temperature, consistent with a higher degree of hydrolysis and polymerization. This is consistent with polymerization through M-O linkages. The products under reflux conditions always contain fewer water molecules of crystallization per metal center than those obtained at room temperature. Aside from the above analytical differences, a number of the products formed under reflux conditions have different acid/base solubility properties from those products prepared from the same metal at room temperature. For example, the product obtained at reflux with aluminum is soluble in cold 0.1 M NaOH while the product obtained at room temperature is insoluble.

EXAMPLE III--HIGH TEMPERATURE PROCEDURE

A solid sample (typically 100 mg) of each precipitate obtained from the room temperature or reflux procedure is heated in air in a porcelain or glass crucible from room temperature to 600° C. in 15 min, held at 600° for 3 hr, and then allowed to cool to room temperature in the oven (typically 2 hr). The colors and analytical data for the solid products obtained on standing at room temperature are shown in Tables III and IV.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                         High Temperature Products                                                      (prepared from room temperature products)                                      M             Color of Product                                                 ______________________________________                                         Al            White powder                                                     Co            Blue foamed hard lumps                                           Cr            Gray brown sof powder                                            Cu            Foamed pale-green solid                                          Fe            Off-white chalky chunks                                          Mn            Hard off-white mass                                              V             Shiny hard green-gold solid                                      Zn            Gray hard solid                                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                         High Temperature Products                                                      (prepared from reflux products)                                                                       Anal. (%).sup.1                                         Product      Color       FW.sup.2                                                                               M    P    N                                   ______________________________________                                         AlPO.sub.4   White powder                                                                               244     21.7 20.9 0                                                                    22.1 25.4 0                                   CO.sub.22 (P.sub.3 O.sub.2).sub.5                                                           Foamed blue 1921    65.6 24.2 0                                                solid               67.5 24.2 0                                   Cr.sub.2 (P.sub.2 O.sub.5).sub.2 O.sub.3.13H.sub.2 O                                        Brown powder                                                                               770     14.0 15.7 0                                                                    13.5 16.1 0                                   Cu.sub.3 (PO.sub.2).sub.3                                                                   Blue-green  381     47.0 17.1 0                                                powder              50.1 16.3 0                                   Fe.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2.8H.sub.2 O                                                        Foamed yellow                                                                              501     33.9 12.6 0                                                solid               33.3 12.4 0                                   Mg.sub.2 (PO.sub.3).sub.5                                                                   Hard white  444     11.1 33.4 0                                                mass                11.0 34.9 0                                   Mn(P.sub.2 O.sub.5).sub.2 N.7H.sub.2 O                                                      Foamed off- 479     10.7 27.8 3.1                                              white solid         11.5 25.9 2.9                                 Ni.sub.3 (P.sub.2 O.sub.5).sub.2 N.4H.sub.2 O                                               Tan, chunky,                                                                               546     31.6 23.0 2.9                                              soft solid          32.2 22.7 2.6                                 (VO).sub.8 (PO.sub.4).sub.2 O.sub.5.9H.sub.2 O                                              Foamed hard 967     41.1 6.4  0                                                black beads         42.1 6.4  0                                   Zn.sub.11 (PO.sub.3).sub.10                                                                 Hard gray solid                                                                            1509    49.5 21.8 0                                                                    47.6 20.5 0                                   ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Second line in each entry shows calculated elemental analysis.          .sup.2 Calculated.                                                       

As can be seen from the analytical data presented in Table IV, heating precipitates from reflux experiments at 600 ° C. for three hours gives orthophosphate products only with Al, Fe and V. All other products are unusual phosphorus-containing compounds. Only two products (Mn and Ni) contain any detectable N. The pattern of variation of the molar P/M ratio in the products is similar to that of the materials that are heated. This means that the formulas and properties of the high temperature products are set by choice of the precursors, as is illustrated further by the data presented in Tables V and VI. Of particular practical importance is the synthesis of foamed (porous) materials in several metal systems.

                                      TABLE V                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Comparison of High Temperature Products from Precursors                        Made at Room and Reflux Temperatures                                                                              Anal. (%).sup.1                             Material Heated Product                                                                              Color     FW.sup.2                                                                          M  P                                        __________________________________________________________________________     Cu.sub.63 (P.sub.2 O.sub.5).sub.21 (NH.sub.3).sub.22 O.sub.63.93H.sub.2        O.sup.3         Cu.sub.2 (PO.sub.2).sub.3                                                            Foamed pale green                                                                        316                                                                               37.7                                                                              27.7                                                           solid        40.2                                                                              29.4                                     Cu.sub.2 [(PN).sub.3 O.sub.4 (NH.sub.2).sub.2 ].7H.sub.2 O.sup.4                               Cu.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2                                                            Blue-green powder                                                                        381                                                                               47.0                                                                              17.1                                                                        50.1                                                                              16.3                                     __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1 Second line of each entry gives calculated elemental data for           assigned product.                                                              .sup.2 Calculated.                                                             .sup.3 Obtained at reflux temperature (see Table II).                          .sup.4 Obtained at room temperature (see Table I).                       

                  TABLE VI                                                         ______________________________________                                         Compariston of High Temperature Products from Precursors                       Made at Room and Reflux Temperatures                                           Element                                                                               Product.sup.1    Product.sup.2                                          ______________________________________                                         Fe     Off-white chalky chunks                                                                         Foamed yellow solid                                    Mn     Hard, off-white solid                                                                           Foamed off-white solid                                 V      Shiny, hard green-gold                                                                          Foamed, hard black beads                                      solid                                                                   ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Precursor made at room temperature.                                     .sup.2 Precursor made at reflux temperature.                             

Products obtained at room temperature or reflux exhibit extremely weak X-ray powder patterns, indicating that they are amorphous. The main effects of treatment at 600° C. are sharpening of ν_(P-O) ir bands, the appearance of strong ν_(M-O) bands (at ca. 600 cm⁻¹ for M^(II) and 1100 cm⁻¹ for V^(IV)), and the appearance of sharp X-ray powder diffraction peaks, indicating crystallization.

The novel solids according to the invention have a wide range of uses depending on their specific properties. For example, the foamable compounds are fire resistant and are useful replacements for organic phosphazenes. Some of the materials, e.g., the high temperature Cr compound and the Ni compound prepared under reflux conditions, are slippery and can be used as lubricants. Protective or lubricant coatings can be formed from those products soluble in acid or base. The high temperature products are useful as metal containing fillers for polymers or copolymers or as metalizing agents for refractory materials. Heated samples can be pelletized, making some products suitable for conductivity and optical measurements. Others are possible supports for metal, alloy and mixed-metal oxide catalysts.

Treatment of a suspension of the colorless Al or Zn compounds prepared at room temperature with a molar deficit of copper(II) sulfate in water at room temperature gives a colorless solution and blue solids, the intensity of color increasing with the amount of copper (II) in the treatment solution. Thus, aluminum and zinc in the metal-phosphazene products easily can be ion-exchanged with copper (and, presumably, with other M^(II) ions) that form stronger bonds to the phosphazene rings than aluminum and zinc, from doping levels up to the level of complete metal replacement. This suggests useful ion-exchange applications, for example in high performance liquid chromatography, in water treatment, and in precious metal recovery from process streams.

Of special interest are the extensive decorative possibilities for using the compounds of the invention. For example, glazes can be prepared for porous glasses, e.g., from the vanadium compound, or metal components can be added to a ceramic body, either to the fired ceramic or to the slip as a reactive component. The product prepared from zinc at room temperature can be drawn into metallated fibers.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and the examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A solid metal-phosphazene polymer compound comprising a phosphazene [PN]₃ subunit having the formula ##STR2## wherein said [PN]₃ subunit is linked to at least one other [PN]₃ subunit through one or more (P--X)¹ --M--(X--P)² bonds where the phosphorus of said (P--X)¹ is a member of a first [PN]₃ subunit and the phosphorus of said (X--P)² is a member of a second [PN]₃ subunit, X is either NH₂ or O and where M is a metal unit; and whereinthe X substituents not linked in (P--X)¹ --M--(X--P)² bonds are NH₂ or OH.
 2. A method for preparation of a solid metal-phosphorus-nitrogen compound comprising the steps of:providing hexaminocyclotriphosphazene, [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl; reacting said [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl with a metal salt in an aqueous environment; and isolating the reaction product as a precipitate.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of providing [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl further comprises reacting [NPCl₂ ]₃ with ammonia to obtain [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the metal of the metal salt of the reacting step is selected from the group consisting of Mg^(II), Mn^(II), Fe^(II), Co^(II), Ni^(II), Cu^(II), Zn^(II), Al^(III), Cr^(III), Fe^(III), and V^(IV).
 5. The method of claim 2 wherein the metal salt of the reacting step is selected from the group consisting of halides, nitrates, and sulfates.
 6. The method of claim 2 wherein the reacting step comprises refluxing [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl with a metal salt and water.
 7. The method of claim 2 wherein the reacting step comprises treating [NP(NH₂)₂ ]₃.6NH₄ Cl with a metal salt and water at room temperature.
 8. The method of claim 2 further comprising the subsequent step of washing the precipitate with water.
 9. The method of claim 8 further including a subsequent drying step.
 10. The product prepared by the method of claim
 2. 11. The product prepared by the method of claim
 6. 12. The product prepared by the method of claim
 7. 